Cupid's Arrow

by Margaret McDonagh

Genres: Romance

Synopsis

When Gemma Armstrong finds herself involved in another of her friend Suzy's crazy schemes, life inevitably turns complicated ? especially when Kane Fenton becomes an unexpected part of the plan. An award-winning actor/director, Kane is heart-stoppingly handsome. So why, Gemma wonders, does he seem so alone? Thrown together in unusual circumstances, Gemma comes to know the private man behind the public image. Together, fighting their tangled emotions, they uncover the shocking secrets of Kane's past.

Release date: April 17, 2014

Publisher: Accent Press

Print pages: 94

Sample

Chapter One

Kane Fenton stabbed a computer key with his index finger and stored the work he had completed.

He was hungry and he needed a shower, a shave and some sleep, he admitted, as he leaned back in his chair and stretched his cramped muscles.

He had been buried in this office over the Christmas holidays putting the finishing touches to a screenplay ‑ an adaptation of a contemporary novel to which he owned the rights.

Kane knew it was good. He could feel in his bones that this was a winner, and he always trusted his instincts. He knew this business. With several major nominations behind him and one award for Best Director, he was riding the crest of success.

The script he had just completed was a story of murder and mystery with a teasing, will-they-won't-they romance. The female lead was a strong, feisty character. Funny, smart, gutsy, Kane knew she would strike a chord. And pitted against her male sparring partner – a tough, cynical, street-wise detective - the public's imagination and interest would be captured.

He stretched his legs and propped them on the edge of his desk, his mind already imagining scenes and effects. He knew how he would shoot this film, how to create the images, the tension, the drama.

As always at the beginning of a new project, he was excited, that gut-tingling enthusiasm bringing a fire to his blood that was the most potent stimulant of all.

But there was a considerable amount of work to do before the cameras began to roll, and filming began.

He had a hand-picked team he liked to work with, some of the best people in the industry. While his production company was small, it was flourishing,

He was in control of his own destiny, making the films he wanted to make.

The people around him were gifted, dedicated, and prepared to work as hard as he was, with as much attention to the smallest detail. So far, he was as satisfied as he was ever likely to be at this stage of a project. And everyone who was anyone in the film industry knew how difficult Kane Fenton was to please.

He stifled a yawn and scanned through the many messages that had accumulated on his answer machine in the last few days. One in particular brought a dissatisfied scowl to his lean face.

The unwelcome news that his right-hand man had accepted an offer to work in America and would no longer be available was not the kind of thing he wanted to hear at the start of what he anticipated would be an exciting but frenetic year. With a muttered curse, Kane erased the tape and stood up.

The rest of the house felt cold and neglected after the enclosed warmth of his office. He glanced through the circular window in the hallway out towards the stretch of the River Thames that ran past his cottage. It looked bleak and inhospitable.

Stepping under the steaming shower, his mind had already turned to the problem of his assistant.

He needed a replacement sooner rather than later, someone who knew the business, who could access funding. Someone he could work with. Someone he could trust. Someone whose commitment and zeal matched their talent. But who?

Kane tipped his face to the water, enjoying the stinging barbs on his skin. Eyes closed, he ran through several names and discarded them all. Then suddenly he knew he had it ‑ the obvious person.

Richard Morris.

There was a name from the past. Fresh-faced, eager and incredibly nervous, they had worked together on their first television programme more years ago than he cared to remember. Kane had seen then that Richard had both talent and character although since then, they had lost touch. He had not heard of Richard for some while and wondered if he was still working in television.

Stepping out of the shower, Kane pulled on a towelling robe and went back downstairs. He stopped in the kitchen long enough to make himself a cup of coffee, then went through to his office.

At his desk once more, he rummaged through his address cards until he found Richard's.

Picking up the receiver, he tapped out the number, sipping his drink as he waited for the call to be answered.

‘Richard Morris,’ a once-familiar voice responded.

‘Richard, it's Kane Fenton.’ He grinned at Richards surprised exclamation. ‘Is this a bad time? Are you busy?’

‘As always. You only just caught me. I'm on the way out to a New Year bash. Have you got something on tonight yourself?’

‘No. I have work to do.’ Kane's smile faded.

‘You haven't changed then,’ Richard commented, humour in his voice. ‘You always did work too hard, Kane. All work and no play … ‘

‘I've heard that before.’

‘It's been ages since we last spoke, Kane. You've made a real name for yourself since the days we started out together. What are you working on at the moment?’

‘That's why I'm ringing. I have a proposition for you. Interested?’

‘I could be. We could discuss it tomorrow.’

Kane did not have to consult his diary to know the Bank Holiday was empty of social engagements.

‘What did you have in mind?’

‘Lunch.’ A pause followed, then Richard added with a laugh, ‘You can meet my sister.’

‘The legendary Suzy. You always told me how crazy she is, though I never actually had the pleasure of meeting her.’

‘That's something else that hasn't changed. Actually, Kane, you could do me a bit of a favour. Suzy had this idea …’

Kane listened with growing incredulity as Richard outlined his sister's latest madcap scheme and the part Richard wanted Kane to play.

‘You want me to do what? Are you serious?’ he exclaimed when Richard had finished. Why on earth was he even considering getting involved? ‘I suppose you are going to remind me I owe you a favour.’

‘Come to lunch anyway. No strings.’

He should say no. He wanted to say no. But a tiny spark of devilish curiosity gripped him. And then he found himself writing down the details of the restaurant Richard named.

What harm would it do to go along? He could discuss his plans with Richard, have a break from his solitary office, and meet the sister he had once heard so much about.

A relaxing Bank Holiday would give him a breather, and time to recharge both his enthusiasm and his batteries which were always drained at this time of year.

And it would make a change from spending the whole of the holiday period on his own, like he usually did.

An irritating noise began to permeate Gemma Armstrong's deep, much needed sleep. She groaned and rolled over, but then something insistent dug into her ribs, prodding her to wakefulness.

‘Rise and shine! Happy New Year!’

The noise was Suzy's voice, the digging in her ribs – Suzy's fingers. Gemma fought the dual intrusion.

‘Go away,’ she grumbled, pulling the weighty duvet over her head.

Undaunted, Suzy plonked herself on the edge of the bed and gave Gemma a more determined shake.

‘Come on, Gemma, you can't lie here all day.’

With a sigh, Gemma pushed against the duvet and emerged a few inches from the cocooning warmth. A frown of annoyance pulled at her neat brows.

She felt like she'd hardly been asleep at all. They had arrived home from a New Year celebration party at some unearthly hour of the morning, and when she . . .